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See centre pages for a full listing of the church services and events this month, including: the Dean of Wells, conducting the 1st December service. carol singing on 16th December, from 6pm in the Square. 20th December, a real stable nativity at West Lyng Farm,

6pm complete with donkey and baby in the manger!

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North Curry Village Calendar 2020 Created by North Curry Church Photographs by Julian Comrie

12 beautiful scenes of our village ooonnnlllyyy £££111000

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School Holiday Terms Winter 23rd December – 3rd January 2020 Half Term 15th February – 23rd February 2020 Easter 4th April – 19th April 2020 Half Term 23rd May – 31st May 2020

Would you like to advertise or promote

your club or business in the magazine?

See inside back page for advertising rates.

Clubs and local non commercial groups do not

pay for their features.

Church Diary Events for December Sunday, 8th December, Christingle Service Thursday, 12th December, Village Choir sings at the Parish Church Monday, 16th December, Carol Singing in Queen Square Wednesday, 18th December, School Carol Concert in the Parish Church Tuesday, 24th December, Crib Service (5pm)/ Midnight Mass (11.30pm). Produce Market, first Saturday of every month 9.30am-11.30am- next date:

7th December Bellringers, every Monday evening, 7pm-8.30pm

Non Parish Church Diary Events

Wednesday, 4th December North Curry WI Thursday, 5th December, 12 Plants for Christmas NC & District Gardeners Friday, 6th December, Carol Singing/Service North Curry WI Saturday, 9th December, The Green Book North Curry Film Club Sunday, 15th December, Christmas in the Square Wednesday, 18th December, Christmas Customs North Curry Society

(Details on all these events can be found in the magazine)

For other local events, check out the Parish Council website and calendar at www.northcurry.com

Church officers phone numbers, and other local useful phone numbers, can now be found at the inside back page.

www.northcurrychurch.co.uk/ email ncurrymag@gmail.com Cover photo – Courtesy of Julian Comrie

The editor thanks all contributors and advertisers for their varied

and interesting articles/ announcements throughout the

year, along with Character Graphics of Taunton for their printing and support services.

And to you esteemed reader, may you have a very happy Christmas

and a prosperous 2020.

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Announcements/ News in Brief Congratulations to our November 200 Club Winners 1st Prize - £30: Sally Rossiter (the ever so lucky, after winning last month too) 2nd Prize - £20: Karen Boddy 3rd Prize - £10: Pat Curtis At the 1st December service, along with the usual prizes, we again shall have our Christmas Prize Draw of £60. Do come along; it maybe you leaving with a £60 cheque – just in time for Christmas shopping! If you are not a member, and would like to join, please contact Sue Bethune on 490179. The annual subscription is £18. Players must be 18+ yrs. The Mobile Library Service will return to Queen Square on Wednesday 11th December at 1.45pm-2.30pm. Advance notice: the annual Grand 2020 Quiz will be on 7th March... More details next month, but hold the date in your diary! Tickets will go on sale from January from Jenny Satchwell (490463). A kindly reminder with these dark evenings, that when out walking the dog or alike after dark, please ensure you have a torch and a hi-viz clothing. Be Seen, Be Safe! Christmas is nearly here so do come along to our village Produce Market on Saturday 7th December. We have lots of festive produce and some new tables offering a wide range of gift ideas. Have a warming hot drink with one of our delicious bacon baps or a mince pie. We look forward to welcoming you there... At the Autumn Fair on 16th November, we raised in excess of £500. Our sincerest thanks to Helen Griffiths for arranging this year‘s event, and of course to the stall holders and visitors that supported it. At the TEARFUND quiz fundraising evening held on 16th November, North Curry‘s church team surpassed all expectation (and belief) in finishing in 1st place! We thank Stoke St Gregory Baptist Church for their hospitality and we believe in excess £150 was raised for this good cause. At the Remembrance Tide Service on 17th November, the congregation were treated to a provocative and reflective sequence of music and readings for the November season of remembrance - for the saints and sinners and fallen. The talented choir from In Ecclesia led the hymn singing and added anthems and motets in the theme, including two familiar pieces from Fauré's Missa pro defunctis. A special mention must also be made too for Dr Robert Dunning‘s most excellent and thoughtful sermon. As we go to print the Parish Profile will be doing its final round before going to the Archdeacon, the last hurdle. It has yet to be decided when the advert will appear in the Church Times, certainly not later than January 2020. Well done to all those concerned.

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Monday 16th December Carol Singing

6pm – Queen Square Garden

Come and join us at the start of the Christmas Season.

Sing all your favourite carols; we provide all the hymn sheets and whether you have been before or not, our very own choir

members will make you very welcome.

The more the merrier, a real family affair for all ages.

Dress up warmly and bring a torch.

This event takes place no matter the weather, so please do join us.

On Friday 20th December at 6pm we are having a STABLE SERVICE at Middle Farm, West Lyng, in Dick Brewer’s magnificent old working horse stable, in conjunction with North Curry Methodists. If you want to show your children or grandchildren what being ‘born in a stable’ was really like, this is an experience not to be missed ! Donkey, sheep and a real baby in the manger . . . . Refreshments afterwards and All Welcome.

John Tyler. 01460281574

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Editor’s Comments The exterior refurbishment on the walls and chancel remain on course to be completed by the time you read this article, so why not take the chance to stroll around to inspect the work yourself! An indepth report to follow in the January magazine, but I would highlight now our gratitude to the architects for overseeing the project with such diligence, the contractor for their hard work and to David Akerman, who had spent many hours liaising between the various parties and the archdeacon‘s faculty office. It is worth noting too, that all the money paid out for the walls comes from our own funds and fund raising efforts – the diocese or

Somerset councils pay nothing towards the costs. And if David hadnt been busy enough, we see him and Tom Jeanes changing the chain link on the chandelier. Thanks chaps on a splendid bit of engineering. And thanks to Gill Toller for taking these ―rare behind scenes‖ photos. I bet you thought this all happened by magic or highly paid professionals!

A lot of work is done between Sunday services by wardens and PCC members – not only at the church - we are very fortunate to have such active and dedicated members on our committees – thank you to you all.

And whilst out and about in the New Forest, Kate Roberts spotted this sign for a local church.... Indeed, church CAN BE fun. Why not find out for yourself this December and 2020 – we look forward to welcoming you!

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Little Angels Toddlers Club and Pram Service

Every 2nd Thursday in the month at the church. Next meeting 10am – 12th December

If you would like a guaranteed copy of the magazine delivered monthly to your door,

only £6 per year. Please contact Jenny Satchwell on 490463

Sunday 8th December Christingle Service 4pm

Come and join us in the Parish Church for this delightful service.

The other churches within benefice plus the Brownies, Rainbows and Guides have

all been invited. The Christingles are being made by the

local Primary School children, and all funds raised will be in aid of

Children‘s Society.

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Benefice of Athelney – Service Rota December – 2019

Common Worship Year A begins: Matthew 1st December ADVENT SUNDAY

08.00 North Curry Holy Communion Revd John Tyler 10.00 North Curry United Benefice

Eucharist Very Revd Dr John Davies

15.00 Lyng Advent Music & Tea Revd Martin Mudie

4th December (Wednesday) 17.00 Stoke St

Gregory Evening Prayer Revd Dr Jane Sutton

6th December (Friday)

14.00 North Curry WI Group Carol Service

Mr Ralph Roberts

8th December THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 9.30 Burrowbridge Holy Communion Revd Martin Mudie

11.00 Stoke St Gregory

Eucharist Revd John Tyler

16.00 North Curry Christingle Service

Revds John Tyler & Deborah Kirk

10th December (Tuesday)

19.30 Lyng Ukulele Carols Revd John Tyler

11th December (Wednesday) 17.00 Stoke St

Gregory Evening Prayer Revd Dr Jane Sutton

12th December (Thursday)

10.00 North Curry Little Angels Mrs Jenny Satchwell 15th December THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

08.00 North Curry Holy Communion Revd John Tyler 09.30 Lyng Holy Communion Revd John Tyler 11.00 Stoke St Gregory Eucharist Revd Martin Mudie 16.30 Burrowbridge Carol Service Mr Charles Payton 18.00 North Curry Carol Service Revd Martin Mudie

16th December (Monday)

18.00 North Curry Carols in the Square

18th December (Wednesday) 11.00 North Curry School Carol Service Revd John Tyler 17.00 Stoke St Gregory Evening Prayer Revd Dr Jane Sutton

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19th December (Thursday)

18.00 Stoke St. Gregory

Carols in the Square

Revds Martin Mudie & Sonya Setchell

20th December (Friday)

18.00 West Lyng Farm Stable Service Revds John Tyler & Deborah Kirk

22nd December

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

10.00 North Curry Eucharist Revd John Tyler 18.30 Stoke St Gregory Carol Service Revd John Tyler

18.30 Lyng Carol Service Revd Martin Mudie

24th

December (Tuesday) CHRISTMAS EVE

15.30 Stoke St Gregory Crib Service Mr Ralph Roberts

17.00 North Curry Crib Service Revd Martin Mudie

19.30 Burrowbridge ‗Midnight‘ Mass Revd John Tyler

22.00 Lyng ‗Midnight‘ Mass Revd Keith Powell

23.30 North Curry Midnight Mass Revd Martin Mudie

23.30 Stoke St Gregory Midnight Mass Revd John Tyler

25th December

(Wednesday) CHRISTMAS DAY

08.30 Stoke St Gregory Christmas Communion Revd Martin Mudie

10.00 North Curry Christmas Eucharist Revd John Tyler 29th December THE FIRST SUNDAY OF

CHRISTMAS 10.00 Burrowbridge United Benefice Eucharist Revd John Tyler

5th January THE EPIPHANY

(anticipated) 08.00 North Curry Holy Communion Revd John Tyler 09.30 Lyng Holy Communion Revd John Tyler 10.00 North Curry Eucharist Revd Martin Mudie

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The Rev’d John Tyler writes My Dear Friends, As I write this in mid-November it is quite a challenge to decide what is really important : We are already two weeks into a General Election Campaign and by the time you are reading this, you will probably be heartily sick of it. Already there have been so many twists and turns that an exhausted note is creeping into the commentaries. Then, at the time of writing, there are the floods in Northern England – all-important to those affected by them, as we know from the experiences of five years ago in our own area. . . Most of us can add Family issues, Health anxieties and also perhaps Money worries, to our ‗Important‘ list. Add to these, uncertainties about the environment and climate change, and the unpredictable state of so many global conflict areas and issues. In our Churches there are the concerns about maintaining the provision and standards of our worship, and the pastoral care of the communities that we seek to serve. Remembrance Sunday and all that it stands for puts all these into a sort of perspective ; for a while we are confronted by the realities of the Kohima Epitaph : ―When you go home, tell them of us and say : For your tomorrow they gave their today.‖ Just remembering is not enough. We have to honour the sacrifice of so many who gave their lives and their future, by trying to build the sort of world they would have wanted. Advent and Christmas can also put our world and our times into a proper perspective : the birth of a baby in poverty in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago has had more significance for human lives than anything that has happened in human history since. That is simply a statistical fact. For Christians, it is God‘s Light and Love born into the world at a time of great darkness ; from that point on, it changed everything, and the subsequent centuries are unthinkable without it. We shall see it represented in Christmas Cards and Nativity Plays, in the Crib Exhibition at Lyng on December 7th /8th, in a Service in a real Stable on December 20th, in Carol Services and Crib Services and other Christmas Celebrations. God grant that we may all at some point see it with fresh eyes, as if we had never seen it before, as if this was the first time. Then I believe that all the things we have been considering ‗important‘ will fall into their proper place. With Every Blessing and Good Wish for a Happy Christmas and New Year,

John Tyler.

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Letter from the Right Right Reverend peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells So it has been decided. There is to be a General Election on 12th December and much has been made of the fact that this is the first December election since 1923. Things could be worse however, as the 1885 General Election took place over three weeks from 24th November to 18th December 1885. It was nonetheless an important milestone in social history, as it extended voting rights so that for the first time a majority of adult males could vote and most constituencies returned only a single member to Parliament. These were quite radical developments and at that election large numbers of men voted for the first time. It saw the Liberals, led by Gladstone win the most seats, but not an overall majority, with the Irish Nationalists holding the balance of power and the Unionist MPs having a significant voice. The 1885 election also saw the first socialist party, the Social Democratic Freedom participate. So significant was this election that my predecessor, Bishop Arthur Hervey, wrote an open letter on 2nd October 1885 suggesting that ‗all Christian subjects of the Queen had a duty of special prayer to Almighty God that He will be pleased to guide the minds of the Electors to make such a choice of representatives as shall tend most to the glory of God, the honour and welfare of our Sovereign, and the happiness of the people.‘ In His view Parliament was responsible for establishing ‗peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety‘ and the ‗welfare of all people.‘ In asking people to pray, as well as to vote, he made it clear that whilst people would have different ‗political leanings‘ that they needed to come together to pray for the ‗peace and happiness of the nation at large‘. I think we all know that this General Election before us now will similarly be critical in helping to determine the future of the United Kingdom – at least for the immediate future. In writing this article I am therefore seeking to follow Bishop Arthur Hervey by reminding us all of the responsibility we have to pray for our country and to work with all people for the welfare and the well-being of everyone. With my prayers and very best wishes,

The Right Revd Peter Hancock Bishop of Bath and Wells

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News from North Curry /Curland Methodists, by Roy Crouch Remembrance Day-A Time to Dream?

Today, Sunday 10th November 2019, we attended the Remembrance Day service at the war memorial in the centre of North Curry. The service was conducted by the Rev John Tyler for the Anglicans and the Rev Anthony Huxtable for the Methodists. The service followed its now familiar pattern with our prayers for the courage and devotion of those who had fought in past wars, particularly, the first and second world wars and for those who had lost their lives in conflict. We sang the hymns ―O God, our help in ages past‖ and ―O Valiant hearts, who your glory came‖. The first hymn, ―O God, our help in ages past‖ struck a chord with me this

year, especially the verse:

Time, like an ever rolling stream, Bears all its sons away: They fly forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day

A week or so ago in conversation with Tim Aldridge, Chaplain at Queens College, Tim related to me an anecdote concerning his contribution to the poppy appeal this year. When putting his money in the poppy sellers tin the man thanked him for this. To which Tim replied, and here I paraphrase, ―no it is I who wish to thank you for your sacrifice to our nation, in comparison my sacrifice of this money bears no comparison.‖ These words came to me standing at the war memorial. My thoughts were: Is their sacrifice really appreciated today? Do we really remember them? They really did give their today for our tomorrow-your family and mine.

The church council, which was postponed, will now have taken place on 15th November, report will follow in the next edition.

Dates for your diary Friday, 6th December Taize Service 7pm Sunday 15th December Carol Service 3pm Friday 20th December Stable Nativity at Dick Brewer‘s Farm, East Lyng

Warm Christmas greetings to you all from your Methodist friends at North Curry/Curland.

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Saturday 7th December 9.30am-11.30am

Lots of new stalls, with plenty of ideas of Xmas

North Curry Coffee Shop This year‘s autumn exhibition was a great success with 23 entries in a variety of media. Thank you to everybody who entered and voted, the Art Group prize went to Lindsey Musgrave‘s pottery beehive and the public voted for Emma Forknall‘s dog portrait and Yvonne Lawton‘s sheep painting as joint winners.

A unique variety of Christmas gifts and decorations from local makers are now for sale in the coffee shop, please pop in and support your community.

Opening hours: 10am – 4.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday (December/January)

Burrowbridge Bingo Come and join us at Coronation Hall

We try to meet every two weeks on a Saturday evening at 7.30pm, next meetings 14th & 28th December in the Millennium Room of the Coronation Hall. We play for small cash prizes and an accumulating cash Jackpot plus coffee break raffle with small raffle prizes donated by members. A full 10 games as well as two jackpot rounds costs £5 tea/coffee and biscuits just 30p. For more details, just phone Sue or Brian Walker on 01823 698500. Pop along – you‘ll be very welcome Directions to the hall – on reaching Burrowbridge traffic lights, take the left turn at the crossroads, before the bridge, into West Yeo Road. The hall is about 500 yards on the right, with plenty of parking. Go on with you.... what are you waiting for?

In the Village Hall

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Who likes diets? Imagine your doctor announcing that you have some condition which, in later life, will almost certainly cause you serious harm. Would you be willing to adjust your diet to protect your health and well-being many years down the line? You may ask whether you could take medication instead so there‘d be no need to give up the harmful foods; or the doctor might say that within ten or twenty years there could be at least a partial cure for the problem. Do you think, ―I‘ll see how it goes for a few years‖ or do you resolve to do something now? There may be no immediate, visible benefits to encourage you onwards with your resolve so it could be the greatest test of will-power that you‘ve ever faced. Now imagine your doctor telling you that all your relatives have the same condition. You could all go on the same diet and encourage one another as you go along. This could certainly make things easier—there‘s nothing worse than seeing others enjoying all those little (or large) pleasures that you‘ve just given up! So, similarly, could this be our attitude to climate change? ―It‘s so big—nothing I can do would make any difference!‖ We can all say that! However, when we think about it, it is so big now simply because of our behaviour and that of our forebears. We often hear of clever inventions which will mitigate the effects (carbon capture, etc.) or even nuclear fission which in itself could be the ultimate answer to all our worries, though this has been predicted to be 10-20 years away ever since it was first mooted in the mid 1950‘s. Well, what are we to do? Do we resolve to turn down the heating, walk or cycle more, share car journeys, eat less meat, buy locally, grow our own veg, holiday in Britain, fly less far, less often or even give up flying altogether? And what about wildlife? We can all watch David Attenborough and think that something should be done yet do nothing, apart from fly to see it before it all disappears. Wildlife isn‘t just exotic species—it‘s all those moths and other insects, almost unnoticed plants, birds we take for granted and sometimes are annoyed by when we park our car under a tree and even those trees themselves. It‘s all under a man-made threat. Everything in nature is inter-related; these relationships don‘t always become apparent till a link is broken by the loss of a species and then, of course, it‘s too late! We can all make a difference to wildlife—there are opportunities in our own gardens by means of what we grow. We can support local projects such as the North Curry Wildlife Group or larger regional and national organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts. It‘s up to us all to try to do something about the condition of the planet. Are we willing to resolve to do something? There may be no visible, tangible result in our lifetimes but it‘s worth a try for the sake of our successors who, we hope, will follow us and live on this beautiful and wonderful planet.

Brian Jeanes

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Something Special for Christmas... On Saturday December 7th and Sunday 8th we shall be having a CHRISTMAS CRIB EXHIBITION in the Church of St. Bartholomew at Lyng. We particularly hope to display Cribs that are unusual (perhaps even quirky) ; the Exhibition will be open to ALL the Churches of the Benefice, though constraints of space may restrict what we can put on display. Cribs should be brought to the Church as soon after 9 am as possible and should be collected before lunch on Sunday. December 7th will coincide with the Lyng Advent Fair.

John Tyler. 01460281574. tyleruk@tiscali.co.uk

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Presented by Don Hoyle Wednesday 11th December

we are showing the dramatic and true story The Green Book. In 1962, Tony Vallelonga, a tough bouncer, is looking for work. The most promising offer turns out to be the driver for the African American classical pianist Don Shirley for a concert tour into the Deep South. Tony accepts the job and they begin their tour armed with The Negro

Motorist Green Book, a travel guide for safe travel through America's racial segregation. Together, the snobbishly erudite pianist and the crudely practical bouncer can barely get along with their clashing attitudes to life. However, as they witness and endure America's appalling injustices on the road, they find a newfound respect for each other. The film won 3 Oscars. Doors & bar open at 7pm, with the film starting at 7.30pm. Also open to non-members (£5 on the door). We don‘t have a Winter Warmer in December due to the lack of availability in the Hall. More information on our films on www.northcurryfilmsociety.org.uk North Curry Film Club – a personal review It was suggested that we include in this magazine a review of one of the recent films shown. I have given myself the bigger task of reviewing the films shown since the Club began, way back in September 2011! During that time, the club has shown 136 films, so it is quite a task. To make this more manageable, I have chosen a few headings: Most Surprising Films The film that most surprised me was Gone with the Wind, shown in January 2018. I had never seen it and had low expectations. Made in 1939, I expected it to be of historical interest only, with old-fashioned ham acting. At nearly 4 hours, I also expected it to be an ordeal. It wasn‘t like this at all – it is so dramatic the time went easily. The burning of Atlanta scene was awe inspiring. The acting of Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Olivia de Havilland & Leslie Howard was so strong you were carried along with the dramatic flow. It suffered from a racist context of the time it was made – the southern slaves were portrayed as happy servants. On the other hand, I was surprised when we showed Dr Zhivago in February 2016. I had loved the film when it came out in 1965. I had remembered it as a dramatic

NORTH CURRY F

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story, beautifully shot, haunting music and a powerful historical setting. Second time round, I found it dragged and, at 3 ¼ hours, it lacked pace. These films were shown as ‗Winter Warmers‘, on Saturday afternoons with an interval for tea and cake. They certainly brighten a cold winter‘s day! The programme includes some familiar films, which many of us will have seen several times: Well-loved classic films

My favourite film of all time is Casablanca and, again, it didn‘t disappoint when we showed it in November 2018. Made in 1942, I saw it at the cinema when it was re-released for it‘s 50th anniversary. Of course, it has been on TV many times, but it is a different experience seeing it on a big screen enjoying the so familiar lines with the whole

audience. Likewise, I‘ve watched the DVD of Cinema Paradiso many times but loved seeing it again when we put it on in January 2015. A delightful film with such evocative music from Morricone. Of course, the Film Club doesn‘t just show old classic films: Best contemporary films I really enjoyed The Lives of Others which we showed in June 2017. It is set in 1984 in East Berlin and about a Stasi officer who starts to get too involved in the life of a suspect. A gripping story that also gave you a sense of life before the fall of the Berlin Wall just 30 years ago. Another powerful story was I Daniel Blake shown in October 2017. A damming criticism of the benefit system by Ken Loach, we will follow it up this year with his most recent film Sorry to have missed you, about the gig-economy, which we will show on 27th May 2020. I expect to be moved and angered in equal measure by the portrayal of ordinary people caught up in insecure employment. The Film Club also shows films that aren‘t shown at commercial theatres. Many of these are foreign language films: Best foreign language films It is hard to choose a favourite, but The Lunchbox which we showed in January 2015 was one of the best. A simple story told in an unpretentious way, it showed the consequences when Mumbai‘s incredible system for delivering home made hot lunches went wrong and thereby a lonely widower, Saajan, gets know, Ila, an unhappy housewife, as they start to exchange notes with the lunches. Another wonderful film was Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, shown in October 2015. It was about the re-education of two students during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. As one of the audience said after watching the film – ‗that was worth the whole year‘s fees, just to see that one film‘. There was also The Butterfly’s Tongue,

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a Spanish film shown in February 2016. The film is set in a village during the Spanish Civil War and follows the relationship between a young lad and an elderly schoolmaster who often took them on nature trails, including showing them the long, spiral tongue of a butterfly as it feeds on nectar. The film has a dramatic conclusion as the teacher is denounced for his progressive views. My last favourite foreign language film would be Frantz

which we showed in July this year as it is set in 1919 showing life in Germany after the First World War. This provides the background, interesting as we commemorate the 100th anniversary, but in the foreground was an intriguing story of a French soldier and the bereaved fiancé and parents of a fallen German soldier.

So all in all, some wonderful memories of films shown over the last 8 years. I‘m confident we will have many more created as we go through this and future seasons of films. Don Hoyle North Curry Film Club

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North Curry Wildlife Group Community Woodland Update by Phil Stone and Sue Ashton The Wildlife Group was very pleased to take some 60 pupils from North Curry Primary School on a tour of the Community Woodland at the end of October. Luckily, it was a dry day and the children spent two hours, in three

groups, learning about the birds that visit the site, the bugs, bees and butterflies, and the trees and shrubs at the woodland and how the site is managed for wildlife. The children seemed to enjoy it and asked lots of questions. Back at the school, Tony Hoskin and Phil Stone showed the children the North Curry Wildlife website projected onto a big screen. Tony talked about some of the bird photos he has taken around the village in the past year which gave rise to many more questions. Some of the children have already been back to the woodland with their families, and we hope more will visit throughout the year when there are different things to see. Even in December there is something to see at the woodland when the bird feeders will be visited by Blue, Great, Coal and Long-tailed Tits, Reed Buntings and Greenfinches. If it is not too cold, stay quietly for a while and see what comes to feed. In the autumn, squirrels busied themselves collecting hazelnuts from the hazel grove which was littered with empty shells, and the hawthorn berries were enjoyed by birds, including passing Fieldfares. Other creatures will have found a warm dry place to overwinter, such as the Peacock butterfly that was seen exploring one of our 'insect hotels' before hopefully finding shelter there for the winter. Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies often come into outhouses and sheds in autumn and even sometimes into our houses. This is fine until we turn up the heating and this wakes them prematurely. If you find a butterfly in your house in winter, it is best to move it gently to an unheated room, garage or outhouse, but always make sure it can escape in spring. For more information about the Wildlife Group‘s projects or about species you can see locally, please see our website www.northcurrywildlife.com or follow us on twitter.com/ncurrywildlife New Year Wassail Join us for a village Wassail on Friday 17th January in a celebration of apples, orchards and the New Year, the Community Woodland at White Street Recreation Ground. Last year‘s event was a great success and the evening is part of seasonal celebrations being coordinated by the village

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Wildlife Group. There will be a lantern procession from the Village school, music from the North Curry Village band, songs, food, drink, toasting and more. Starting at 6pm. If you would like to get involved, contact Tim Hill at milton3hill@yahoo.co.uk. Apple Day Celebration Apple Day was a great success with over a hundred residents and friends gathering at White Street pavilion to celebrate. A range of 20 different apple varieties were on display for people to taste, there was home-made apple cake to try, and face painting and leaf printing on T-shirts, while apple-themed music was played by a group of local musicians, led by Tim Hill. Apple-pressing demonstrations were carried out using Climate Change Athelney‘s press, and apple juice could be sampled by all. With thanks to Kathryn and Brian Jeanes and Caroline Vaughan. Tours of the nearby Community Woodland and orchard were led by Phil Stone who described the range of experimental habitats being created for wildlife, including hazel coppice, bug hotels, a pond, and bee and butterfly banks.

* * * North Curry W.I, Jill Cox reports One of the most joyous parts of Christmas must be to hear voices joined in song, and most especially, the sound of children singing. What better or more delightful way then, than to begin our December meeting with entertainment from our primary school choir.

The afternoon continues with games, gifts and festive fare as we celebrate our Christmas party. Two days later, on the 6th December, we invite local group W.I.‘s to our United Carol Service followed by tea in our Parish Church. This presentation will be our final event, in our role as group organiser for 2019, in what has proved a very worthwhile and successful year. Lastly, we join all W.I.‘s throughout Somerset for the annual carol festival in glorious Wells Cathedral where as always the mix of wonderful music, the massed voices singing and some special readings signal to us the true start of Christmas and we take this opportunity to send special greetings to you all.

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Open Gardens returns for 2020! Pencilled in for 6th/7th June, Would you like to be involved, either by showing off your garden or by assisting in the planning and organising. Please call Lorraine on 491665 Decorate an Xmas Tree in the Church! Following on from the very successful garden displays in the summer, would you or your organisation like to decorate a Christmas Tree in the Church? This is an an excellent chance to help bring some festive colour to the village church as well as promoting your club/ organisation. You must provide your own tree (artifical or real) and decorations. We will provide you the space! If this is something you would like to become involved in, the displays need to be erected from the 9th December, and of course, will need to be removed by 6th January (twelveth night).

Contact Lorraine on 491665 to sign up and to be assigned your spot. Hurry though, as this may prove popular!

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North Curry Primary School News Alex Colling Minnow Class reports this month On the week of 21st October, we celebrated our Autumn enrichment week throughout the school. The topic was Harvest and children explored the theme with lots of events and activities running on each day. We planned the event with Tim Hill to complement the North Curry Apple celebrations on 20th and thought of ways to make the experiences as local and pertinent to our children as possible. We were thinking apples, local wildlife, seasonal events and local history! Highlights included Steve Horne sharing his expertise of bee-keeping, Jamie Jensen bringing some Withies Deli magic and making apple bannocks, Tim Hill teaching us brand new songs to celebrate the apple tree planting, Rodney Down and a calf and blowing our socks off with his farmer talk, Betty Koppa's local photographs featuring local orchards and harvest events, and we had some fantastic wildlife workshops and walks from Philip Stone and Christine Poulsom. Charlton Orchards kindly donated a Blenheim Orange apple tree which has been planted near the willow sculptures on our playground. Children and staff had an enjoyable and interesting week. The highlight for Minnow Class (4-5 year olds) was making delicious apple crumble using apples from our gardens. We look forward to our next enrichment week in the Spring and thank everyone who helped to make it a magical experience for the children.

Here we have the class enjoying The Grand Apple Crumble Eating!

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Would you like to help to decorate the church this year? From the 9th December, we require volunteers to help with putting up all the different festive decor in the church. Your chance to proudly show off your artistic flair! If you‘re not that artistic, we still need help with holding ladders and the mundane stuff, so there is a job for everyone! Do not be backward in coming forward! Please help to bring colour and life to the 2019 Christmas festive celebrations! To find out more, just call Lorraine on 491665 to know when to come down to join in... you might even get a free cuppa and biscuit for your efforts (woooweee).

Church 2020 Calendars are now available!

Professionally photographed

by Julian Comrie. Just £10 each

On sale at the Post Office or at the church.

Photo – kindly provided by Julian Comrie

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Christmas in North Curry has for years been a terrific community event, and this year will be no exception. Gathering in Queen Square on the afternoon of Sunday 15th December, we‘ll see the Tree lights switched on, enjoy food and drink at the various stalls, and sing Christmas songs with the village choir and possibly North Curry Bluebirds while waiting for the arrival of Santa Claus. Then at 6pm (slightly later than usual) down to the parish church for the traditional readings and carols. The following evening, back to Queen Square Garden for ―carols in the square‖, at 6pm again, unaccompanied singing with your lanterns from the Bethlehem carol sheet. The three North Curry churches will welcome you to their Christmas services, and the parish church hopes to collaborate with the Methodist and Baptist congregations to deliver a Christmas Card with their dates and times. It‘s not just the secular world that anticipates Christmas. The Dean of Wells , the Very Revd Dr John Davies is venturing to us on 1st December to preside at our Advent Benefice Service in SS Peter and Paul church: one advantage of the Vacancy in Benefice is the generous supply of visiting preachers. The newly-formed Benefice Choir will be making their third appearance in as many months. The Methodist Church will be having a service using the lovely Taizé chants at 7pm Thursday 5th December, and on Sunday 8th December at 4pm there is a Christingle service on behalf of the Children‘s Society, using Christingles made by the school, Brownies and Guides. The Village Choir give their Christmas concert in the parish church on Thursday 12th December at 7:30pm (doors open at 7pm), with the lovely settings of Magnificat and spirituals by John Rutter and Haydn‘s St Nicholas Mass (Santa Claus again); yourchance to sing along with the choir. The joint Open the Book team will be going into North Curry and Stoke St Gregory schools at the collective worship slot on 16th and 17th December to bring the authentic story of the first Christmas, though they will have to wait until 20th/21st January for the arrival of wise men from their long journey. The school carol service is on 18th December; there are more of them now: when the children came into church in October to hear (and sing to) the Russian choir, they spilled into the side aisles for the first time. On Christmas Eve, we have the annual Crib Service at 5pm and Midnight Mass at 11:30pm, with a sung Eucharist on Christmas morning at the usual 10am. Then into 2020, the Epiphany anticipated on 5th January and a final look back at Christmas on 2nd February for the presentation of the infant Christ in the Temple at Jerusalem. David Walker

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Chairman: Alan Billinghurst Christmas Customs by Brian Wright

It is a Christmas Custom that the North Curry Society‘s December meeting is rather more convivial than usual. So be ready to socialise from 7:30pm on Wednesday 18th December in the Village Hall before Brian Wright begins his talk at 8pm.

Many traditional customs are associated with the Christmas season, and some of these will be explored including the 'real' Father Christmas, who invented the Christmas tree, why we decorate our houses with greenery and other decorations, and a look at Christmas cards, among other things, in a fun and eye-opening session.

Brian now works primarily as an historian. He qualified as an archaeologist, has participated in a number of excavations and specialised in the microscopic study of pottery. He has written a number of books on early firefighting, historical subjects and folklore. His present interest and research is into the ceremony of Beating the Bounds.

The North Curry Society meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Annual membership of £5 includes admission to talks, discussions and refreshments; visitors pay a small charge. Whether you are a visitor, new to the Society or an established member, we look forward to welcoming you this month and to our lively programme of meetings in 2020.

* * * North Curry and District Amateur Gardeners, by Heather Williams

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 5th December when our speaker will be Julie Henderson giving a talk on “The 12 plants of Christmas”. Come early at 7.15‘ish and enjoy a festive glass of mulled wine with a mince pie or two!! Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month in

the Pavilion of the Greenway Playing Fields at 7.45pm for 8.00pm but there will be no meeting in January. Do come and join us for an interesting talk, festive cheer and even a cup of coffee at the end if you would like to stay for a chat. We look forward to seeing you all!

Christmas in the Square

Continuing the tradition of the village getting together just before Christmas

Sunday 15th December 4.00 - 6.00 pm

Festive fun for all ages

Christmas Tree in the Square with switching on of the lights

Hog Roast from Pyne’s of Somerset

Licensed Bar Guest singers and musicians Children’s Games, Hot Dogs,

Mulled Wine, Mince Pies, Hot Chocolate, ‘Rhum au Chocolat’ and Raffle.

Father Christmas, if we are all very good ........

Sponsored by North Curry Post Office & Stores and Pyne’s of Somerset and Supported by North Curry Pavilion and Playing Fields

All proceeds to the Playing Fields and Local Charities

Advent and Christmas services in North Curry 2019 (at the Parish Church, unless shown as elsewhere)

1 December ADVENT SUNDAY 8am Holy Communion 10am United Benefice Eucharist with the Dean of Wells

5 December (Thursday) 7pm Advent Taizé Service at Methodist Church

6 December (Friday) 2pm WI Group Carol Service

7-8 December Christmas Crib Exhibition & Advent Fair at Lyng parish church

8 December THE 2ND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 4pm Christingle Service

10 December (Tuesday) 7:30pm Ukulele Carols at Lyng parish church

12 December (Thursday) 10am Little Angels 7:30pm Village Choir Christmas Concert

15 December THE 3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8am Holy Communion 3pm Carol Service at Methodist Church 4pm Community Christmas in the Square 6pm Lessons and Carols

16 December (Monday) 6pm Carols in the Square unaccompanied singing in Queen Square Garden

18 December (Wednesday) 11am School Carol Service

20 December (Friday) 6pm Stable Nativity at West Lyng Farm

22 December THE 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 10am Eucharist 11am Service of the Word at Methodist Ch

24 December CHRISTMAS EVE 5pm Crib Service 11.30pm Midnight Mass

25 December CHRISTMAS DAY 10am Christmas Eucharist

29 December THE 1ST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS 10am United Benefice Eucharist at Burrowbridge parish church 11am Holy Communion at Methodist Ch

5 January THE EPIPHANY 8am Holy Communion 10am Eucharist

9 January (Thursday) 10am Little Angels

12 January THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST 10am United Benefice Eucharist at Stoke St Gregory parish church

2 February THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST 8am Holy Communion 10am Eucharist

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An old story tells of two shoe salesmen who were sent by their company to a region in Africa where everyone went barefoot. One salesman dejectedly informed his superiors, "We might as well forget these people. No one here wears shoes." The other salesman elatedly informed the company, "Send as many shoes as you can as quickly as you can. Everyone here needs shoes!" Are you a glass half-full person, or a glass half-empty person? Or to put it another way: is your church half-full, or half-empty? This is the month our congregations record their data for the analysts to sift and compare with trends over previous years. However, this year, as last, ‗counting the congregation‘ over the Sundays in October has been replaced by the request to simply state the average number in the congregation over the past year. In spite of the time saved in filling out the form, I am sorry that we no longer add the figures for the mid-week groups meeting for worship, or the inflated numbers at our harvest festivals (which used to make us feel so much better), or the children and young people who are part of our church life. Of course, it isn‘t all about numbers, but the numbers do tell a story. I like the way Howard Mellor reportedly used to tell the numbers story to his fellow travellers on his daily train commute: he travelled with the same passengers every day, and they talked about their work and their leisure interests and their families and got to know each other through the daily conversations. When he was asked what he did, instead of saying apologetically 'I'm a Methodist minister' and as he says, being firmly put in the box marked 'boring' he would tell them: ‗I work in the charity sector – it‘s an international charity with outlets in 180 nations all around the world and about 70million volunteers worldwide. It is substantially located here in the UK, where we have 5,000 outlets, 2,200 key workers, and approximately 300,000 volunteers, who are involved in children's work, work with elderly, health and education. It‘s a charity about social and personal transformation, it is involved in fair trade and justice and peace, politics and conversations about climate change.‘ Well, that was a while ago, and perhaps the figures are not so accurate for today, and of course we shouldn‘t ignore any of our current challenges, and we should always be looking at new ways to share God‘s story with others. But challenges are also opportunities, and difficulties can also be possibilities, and perhaps we should never be so overwhelmed by the problems in the church that we lose sight of and confidence in the God who gifts and guides it. Peace for the journey Rev Deborah Kirk, Minister,

North Curry and Curland Methodist Church Taunton Deane & S Sedgemoor Methodist Circuit

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I would not normally publish the following lenghty tribute, but it is so well written that I hope you will appreciate the content as much as I did.

Rob Ellis, editor

Tribute to Geoffrey Timothy (“Tim”) Guernsey As delivered by Katherine Guernsey (daughter)

25thOctober, 2019 Thank you all for coming today – it means a great deal to us for you to be here, and I know it would have meant a lot to my dad as well. We‘ve received a lot of kind messages of support over the last couple of weeks, and some of the common descriptors for my dad include ―kind,‖ ―gentle,‖ ―smart,‖ ―funny,‖ ―creative,‖ ―calm,‖ ―sensible,‖ ―always ready to laugh‖ (including at himself), ―unique,‖ ―determined to navigate the world on his own terms, and leave it better than he found it.‖ All true. My hope today is to share some recollections of my father that explore those descriptors, and perhaps add a little colour and texture to go with them. Talking of colour, first, his sartorial style. Thank you to anyone who was able to pull off wearing something plaid or maroon (his favourite colour). So frequently spotted in plaid flannel shirts was he, that we adopted Monty Python‘s ―I‘m a lumberjack‖ as his unofficial anthem, and many people assumed that he must surely be Canadian, rather than American. He could certainly smarten up when needed, but when most colleagues at work were sporting 2 and 3 piece suits, he was much more likely to be seen in a tweed or corduroy jacket, paired with a nice jumper. Whilst working for Burtons, they once arranged for his photo to be taken for a corporate publication. As we were leaving from Heathrow that same morning to go on holiday to the States, Burtons sent a professional photographer to the airport to wait for us at check-in and snap the required photo. Top tip – if you want a free upgrade on a flight, have someone bedecked in cameras and giant lenses loiter for you in departures – it works a treat! Having checked in and burst the bubble of the Pan Am staff by revealing that we were neither famous nor ―on trend‖ in our attire, my dad and the photographer set to work. By now, a small crowd had gathered to watch my dad be photographed in all his velour and corduroy glory. We could overhear whispers of ―Do you recognize him?‖ ―I‘m sure he must have been on the tele!‖ Eventually, curiousity got the better of a security guard, who sidled over and asked my mum if he ought to recognize my dad. ―No, probably not.‖ ―Well who does he work for then?‖ ―Burtons.‖ ―What, the menswear company?‖ ―Uh huh.‖ ―And they couldn‘t lend him something?!‖ Less obvious than his clothing was my father‘s lifelong prosopagnosia. Better known as ―face blindness,‖ it‘s a condition that leaves affected individuals able to

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see, but unable to readily recognize faces, even the faces of those they know intimately. This made discussions of school trip photos particularly noteworthy. Upon looking through pictures from one trip he remarked, ―Aha, there you are!‖ ―Ahh, no, that‘s David Forte.‖ ―Really?‖ ―Mmmn.‖ ―Well then that must be you.‖ ―No, that‘s David‘s brother Dario.‖ ―Well, where are you then?‖ ―I‘m here.‖ ―Are you sure about that??‖ Recognising folks, particularly in a place as friendly as North Curry, required him to develop workarounds. Your gait, clothes, voices, and mannerisms were all studied in an effort to place you. If you had a dog you were all set, as he could recognize dogs right away. Without them though, or if you were out of context, things could get interesting. It‘s at this point I should like to apologise to any of our neighbours that my dad may have inadvertently charged for parking when volunteering for the annual May Fair, when you were entitled to park for free – he simply didn‘t recognize you! You may also be unaware that he was extremely dyslexic. Not officially diagnosed until in his forties, he had by then spent a lifetime both adapting to and leveraging the strengths that came with his condition. I am convinced that his infamous skills at negotiation were honed as a youngster. On multiple occasions teachers failed him in exams because they couldn‘t read his handwriting, and he would go in and persuade them – successfully – that he instead deserved an A. With the benefit of a diagnosis, his return to law school in the ‗90s was aided by access to supports and accommodations for his disability – something unavailable to him when originally a law student in the ‗70s. He worked extraordinarily hard for that degree, and earnt it one year before I earnt my own law degree. When I asked him what prompted him to go back to law school at that particular time, he replied, ―Well, I figured I should try to stay at least a degree ahead of you!‖ I suspect such experiences also contributed to his seeing solutions to problems that others didn‘t, as well as his drive to implement those solutions. One prosaic example. Earlier this year, we visited him on one of his many stays in the respiratory ward at Musgrove Hospital, and found him looking rather chuffed with himself. He had taken possession of a new breathing machine that day. It was missing an optional strap that would make it more comfortable and efficient. Naturally, he asked the ward staff about getting the strap (it was the respiratory ward after all), but was told they didn‘t keep them in stock. Could they request one from the Lung Centre just down the corridor perhaps? Oh no, that would require lots of paperwork to put in a procurement request … it could take weeks to obtain etc. etc. They might as well have waived a red flag at him. As soon as the staff left his side, he hopped on his mobile, called the hospital switchboard, got transferred to the Lung Centre, and had a Lung Centre employee at his bedside, strap in hand, all within the hour! He confessed he wasn‘t sure which had pleased him most –

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getting the strap, or seeing the looks on the faces of the ward staff when it was delivered directly to him. It could fairly be said that he was not short of applying a ―Jedi mind trick‖ or two. Fifty years ago, whilst millions of people prepared to watch the Apollo 11 Moon landings on the tele, my dad was instead driving with a friend to Wapakoneta, Ohio – birthplace of Neil Armstrong. Approaching the police cordon, my dad told the guard that they were there from the Bowling Green State University student press. My dad was not on the student newspaper, and his friend didn‘t even go to that university! Nevertheless, he talked his way through security, and they watched the moon landings on a giant Associated Press screen, standing on the lawn of none other than Neil Armstrong‘s parents. Not bad for a guy prepared with nothing but a couple of stenographer‘s notepads, pencils, and an air of confidence! Of course, he also applied his powers of persuasion for more important endeavours. He and my mum were engaged after knowing each other for only six weeks, and he knew that his rather conservative parents would be hard pressed to bless such a fast-paced union, and with a foreigner at that! This was going to require persuasion of the highest order. Taking note that my Grandpa was an appellate court judge, my father told them he had met the perfect woman, they were very much in love, and they couldn‘t wait to be married – just as soon as she was out of prison! For the record, my mother has no criminal predilections, and of course reality was so much better than what my father had told my Grandparents, that they couldn‘t help but give their blessing. He could also be a great listener, and I‘m convinced this quality helped him to be on good terms with people from all walks of life. Even strangers seemed to sense that in him, and often shared quite detailed information about themselves without prompting, or asked him for advice. I assumed it was a stranger who approached us in McDonalds‘ one day and started chatting amiably to my dad. ―Anyone you know?‖ I asked afterwards. ―Oh yes,‖ he replied. ―He‘s someone I once fired.‖ ―Wait, fired?! But he seemed so happy to see you!‖ ―I know. I‘m very good at firing people, if I say so myself!‖ And he was. Although a workplace conduct issue left him no choice but to let this chap go, typical of my dad was that he‘d also worked to help the guy find a new job. It happened again at a car boot sale, when another man came up to chat happily to my dad and went away chuckling. ―Let me guess, someone else you fired?‖ ―Yes. Although not until I‘d helped store security run a sting operation, caught him red-handed, and had him arrested for theft by the police. Then I fired him. Nice guy though!‖ Though not actually omniscient, my father could do a passable impression of it. In the autumn of 2017, my husband and I were on a weekend bicycling trip when I stupidly fell off my bike and ended up in the hospital with a broken jaw. Because of the trip, I was due to speak to my parents on the following Monday, rather than

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our customary Sunday chat. Come Sunday though, I‘d spent one night in the hospital, and figured I‘d better call well ahead of surgery on Monday, or risk getting in trouble. My dad picked up the phone. ―Hey, it‘s me!‖ I said nonchalantly, making sure to call from my mobile and well away from any beeping ‗hospitally‘ noises. ―You‘re not supposed to be calling today. You‘re supposed to be on your trip. [GASP!] You must be in hospital!!!‖ ―OK, well technically yes, but why on earth would you think that?!‖ ―Because I‘m your father and I just know these things.‖ And so he did. Alas, there are too many stories to share here today. My dad seemed to have lived enough stories for several lifetimes. There‘s simply no time to explore here his meteoric rise from part-time Father Christmas to Store Administration Manager at Debenhams; how he became known by management as one of the ―Three Witches‖ of the Non-Executive Directors of the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; his cookie jars theory of accrual accounting; his penchant for drafting meeting notes before he‘d chaired said meetings; his role singing and dancing in a televised performance of the Music Man; why Darth Vader still owes him a favour; and how he learnt that trying to evade the scrutiny of the nuns of St Rita‘s Memorial Hospital (in Lima, Ohio, where he grew up) could be hazardous to one‘s health. In closing I will just share that, in later years, my father proved that you could take the boy out of America, but you couldn‘t take America out of the boy, and much to my mother‘s chagrin he developed that time-honoured American pastime of obsessing about a burial plot. As you will have noticed on your way in, his customary determination paid off. In this case though, no subterfuge or Jedi mind tricks were required. A distant ancestor from the Garnsey side of the family clan is just a few plots to the left, providing the requisite family connection to that part of the churchyard. I like to think that with his ―pole position‖ on the approach to the church, my father will still be in a position to be a good listener to family, friends, and strangers alike. I‘d strongly suggest you bring your dog with you though – it will save a great deal of confusion.

*** The Somerset Village Agent project is run by the Community Council for Somerset (CCS) and now covers half of the county Village Agents help to bridge the gap between isolated, excluded, vulnerable and lonely individuals & statutory and/or voluntary organisations which offer specific solutions to identified needs. Please contact Linda if you or someone you know would benefit from her support. Linda Burton | Village Agent | Tel: 01823 331222 | Mobile: 07931018019 |

Email: linda@somersetrcc.org.uk

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Bell Tower Appeal If you would like to make a donation towards this project, please bacs to North Curry Bellringers: Account: 38229860 Sort Code: 30-91-91 or give a cheque in person to Paul or Darren.

North Curry Bellringers, Darren Woodyer, Tower Captain, writes They think it’s all over!

I always try to bring optimism and hope when writing in the paper. I get great satisfaction knowing that people understand a little more what happens within our village‘s beautiful tower. This month though we had another reality check. We were fortunate enough to have a visiting band of ringers that wanted to ring on our bells. They did themselves proud and rang beautifully. When we ring on the bells, as most of you are aware, we have to silence the clock. This is because the hammers strike the bells when we are not ringing. Also they have to be in what we call the down position for the clock to strike. When the bells are facing in the upward position they are ready to ring and the hammers would get in the way. The visiting band were requested to leave the bells up for us so that we were ready to ring the next morning. This was all done. Unfortunately something happened between the time that they left and the next morning. When I came into the tower the largest bell, the tenor‘s hammer was striking. It wasn‘t striking the bell but the wooden wheel that holds the rope. This damaged the wheel beyond repair. In a way it was a blessing because when we went up to inspect the breakage we found that the wheel was becoming unsafe due to woodworm and rust which had corroded away the outer wheels nails. With everything we are trying to do and our focus on the future of the bells this is a setback as we now can’t ring the tenor any more without purchasing a new wheel. This is not cheap and would be a waste of money in the long run. On a slightly more positive note we have had the structural engineer out to inspect the bells and the frame. We are now awaiting this report so that we can make the right decision on moving forward. We have had another very enthusiastic learning band from North Curry School. The eight girls who all attended passed with flying colours and I must say were the fastest learning band to pick up bell handling so well done to them. Why not come and give ringing a go. Practice Evenings: Monday, 7pm – 9pm. Contact Darren, tower captain 07718 059071 email: gograndsiredoubles@gmail.com For pictures and information please visit our website: www.northcurrybells.com

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On Sunday 17 November In Ecclesia Choir from Taunton gave a Service of Words and Music in the Season of Remembrance. In Ecclesia was founded in 1955 by a small group of Church music enthusiasts, whose aim was to bring to the Churches of Somerset part of the great choral heritage of the Church of England. The Choir was first known as the Rural Church Singers and was renamed In Ecclesia in 1995 but preserve the original aim of the Choir. In Ecclesia bring choral Services, usually Evensong, to Churches which no longer have a full Choir or where Evensong is rarely sung. In Ecclesia also sing in Cathedrals nationwide. The talented Choir sang a reflective sequence of hymns, anthems and motets including two familiar pieces from Faure‘s Missa pro defunctis. It was an extremely moving Service and following Dr Robert Dunning‘s truly inspiring and thought provoking Address the Congregation and Choir were invited to light a candle as a prayer of Remembrance and to take a leaf as a reminder of one‘s prayer. The candles on the Nave Altar with the High Altar as backdrop was quite stunning. We are planning to invite the In Ecclesia back to St Peter and St Paul in 2020, possibly for a similar Service. Report by Mary Piers

Tides ebb and flow, Moons wax and wane, Priests come and go ;

Faith shall remain. Blossom on bough, Floods on the moor,

Harvest and plough. . . Still we adore Father of all,

Bearing us up, Hearing our call.

With bread and Cup Making us whole ; Strong to endure, Feeding the soul,

Nourishment pure. Scatter the darkness,

Gather the flock, Looking to Jesus,

Shepherd and Rock.

Even Rosco newshound is getting ready for Christmas this year... he decided to hang the stocking on himself so that Santa didnt miss him!

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Calendar Photo Competition The 2020 calendars are ready and are on sale now, £10 at the Post Office and the church. However, for 2021, we would like you the villagers to provide the photos. So during the course of the next year, to September 2020, please take as many photos as you can of North Curry life for inclusion in the calendar (ideally, something from each month to reflect our village through a year). The competition is open to all, and can be of any aspect over of village life you would like seen in our calendar. In later issues, we shall give more details on where to email/post your photos, but ideally, digital images are easier to handle (and a better quality) than scanning in from paper photos. But for now, just get snapping away!

* * *

What does being in debt feel like? Fearful, desperate, their world out of control and in a state of chaos, this is how people experiencing the blight of personal indebtedness are described by the local charity Taunton Area Debt Advice. TADA helps people from all walks of life by providing a free, unconditional, non-judgmental, fully confidential advice and practical support to help them become debt free. Martin Ingrams, our local postman, is a Trustee and says “We put people back on their feet. We sort out the jumbled chaos of debt to understand where they are. We take the burden of the problems off their shoulders by being a shield from the threatening letters and telephone calls. We give them a plan, make arrangements and negotiate agreements. Then they have hope, they have structure. They can see life beyond the spiral of debt. They have a future”. TADA is supported by local churches, but offers its free debt advice to people of faith or no faith at all. The TADA Debt Advisers are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. People can gain access to this free support by going to the web site www.tauntonareadebtadvice.uk or calling the helpline 07921 526087. TADA is a member of Community Money Advice which is a national charity with 1300 volunteers working in 160 debt advice centres across the United Kingdom.

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Tea Break Something to colour....

And something to work out...

Ohh ha ha ha Comedians have been ―green‖ for years... they are forever recycling their jokes! I used to work in a recycling plant, crushing cans... but I had to quit, it was soda pressing. I used to work long and unsociable hours in a shoes recycling factory.... ... it was sole destroying!

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North Curry Church Is part of the Benefice of Athelney, along with the parishes of Stoke St. Gregory, Lyng and Burrowbridge – the Parish Church is frequently referred to as 'The Cathedral of the Moors', and from the River Tone valley it is easy to understand why. It was built on a site of an earlier Norman church in about 1300 in the Decorated style, using Ham Hill stone, blue lias stone, and some grey sandstone from a quarry within the parish. About a hundred years later it was updated in the Perpendicular style when the roofs of the nave and aisles were raised to accommodate larger windows. Evidences of the original pitches can be seen both outside on the south and east faces of the tower, and inside on its west arch. At this time the upper stage of the tower and the parapets were added, as was the interesting collection of gargoyles and hunkypunks. The North Curry Parish Registers of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials date from 1539 and are almost complete. The churchyard, just over two acres, is in two parts, with the lower 'new' part has been in use since 1952. The upper 'old' part has gravestones that are centuries old, and includes war memorials. A plan of the graves, complete with the names of the occupants, can be found in the church porch. This is a place of solace and tranquillity, with seating on the north (far) side affording magnificent views across the River Tone to yonder hills in all directions. In springtime, the natural beauty is never more apparent, when the flora carpets amongst the headstones and trees.

Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals If you are interested in getting married, having a church blessing for a civil marriage or organising a baptism or funeral please contact one of the churchwardens. The statutory fees are set by the Church of England and a fee list is displayed in the church porch, or is available online from www.churchofengland.org. Additional local fees may be due in accordance with the services required. At the time of your enquiry, all fee options will be explained. There are also regulations governing the condition of the churchyard and graves, designed to ensure it remains a special peaceful place. Again, a copy is available in the church porch.

Hiring the Church Our church is available for hire, for events such as concerts, talks and exhibitions for which we make a reasonable charge. Contact David Walker should you wish to know more on fees and availability.

Will Planning and Legacies Having a Will in place, for when the time comes, is strongly recommended for all individuals, to ensure your final wishes are clearly laid out to friends and family.

Planned Giving and Donations Planned Giving, by standing order, is a regular charitable payment (or pledge) to the church. This type of giving is an important and integral aspect of our finances, as the majority of our income comes through the planned giving scheme.

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Donation pledges by standing order are easier to administer, both for you and us. Regular planned giving can also attract tax gift aid, enabling us to boost your donation by 25%. Donations can be given monthly, quarterly, or yearly, and the amount is very much up to you. You are not beholden once started, and can be cancelled at anytime. Please contact our Treasurer, Rob Ellis 01823 490599, for the appropriate forms to complete, or to discuss your giving pledge. Standing order mandates are not the same as direct debit mandates. The amounts and dates are fixed, and the instruction to your bank is completely controlled by you. One off donations can be made anytime – cheques payable to North Curry PCC, and can be mailed to the Church address – see inside back page for details. BACS to North Curry PCC – Account No: 00514650, Sort Code: 30-98-45

Prayer for the Athelney Benefice Almighty God, Who made all things and sustains all things; We come together remembering the past and full of hope for the future; We thank you for the part you call us to play in our Benefice‘s continuing story. Lord, bind us more closely together and unite us in the work of your kingdom in our communities; Help us to draw on the gifts and talents in our midst and to use them in your service. May we be a welcoming and loving community, united in worshipping you and open to your guiding Spirit. Holy Spirit guide us at this time of uncertainty and change: Fill us with vision and energy; make us faithful in prayer and worship, that we may discover your way for the future and see your kingdom grow. We ask these things in the name of your Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen Church Opening and Closing Rota Sunday, week commencing during: December January *1st D&S Franks *5th Tony Brooker 8th Robin Rudman 12th David Walker *15th Mike Baker *19th Ralph Roberts 22nd John de Winton 26th Tom Jeanes 29th S&A Billinghurst * 8am service

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Commonwealth War Graves Private Harry Udell Gannett, Devonshire Regiment died 13th January 1919 Private Charles William Stodgell, Devonshire Regiment died 2nd February 1919 Second Lieutenant Peter John Carr , Royal Artillery died 11th October 1941 Sgt John Bernard Hebditch, Royal Airforce Volunteer Res. died 1st December 1943 Information taken from the War Graves Commission website Register of: Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals (June 2019 - November 2019) We ask for God‘s Blessing on all the following Baptisms Imogen Ruby Wilson June 2019 James William Parrington, Luca Pine August 2019 Oliver Nethaniel Smith/ Noah Jeffrey Chedzoy August 2019

Weddings Robert Walker/ Anna Brice October 2019

Funerals Muriel Mudie, Avril Madeley, Michael Griffiths June 2019 Tim Guernsey October 2019

Health and Safety A reminder notice to all volunteers working in the church.

Personal Responsibility It is the duty of each and every person using or visiting the church and churchyard to exercise personal responsibility for their own safety and that of others.

Specific Considerations It is anticipated that a fully revised policy will be adopted at the next PCC meeting. Meanwhile in addition to exercising personal responsibility it is essential that: Anyone using a ladder or reaching high places is accompanied. Ideally ―lone working‖ will be kept to a minimum. Any lone workers must have

an operating mobile phone on their person and ensure that someone knows where they are and that they have returned safely. No one should enter the cellar (boiler room) or bell chamber (above the ringing chamber) or onto any church roof unless accompanied.

No easily combustible materials or sources of ignition may be left unattended in the church.

Those who close the church must check diligently that there is no one left in the church.

David Akerman and Mary Piers, Churchwardens

Your Local Funeral ProfessionalsHELPING YOU EV ERY STEP OF THE WAY

Part of Dignity plc. A British company

www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

• Local experts creating Traditional, Colourful and Natural funerals to meet all personal requirements

• Available 24 hours a day providing the highest levels of service with compassion and respect

• Our caring, respectful and professional services start from just £1,995. Please contact us for more information.

SOMER SETNIGEL K FORDNorth End, Creech, St. Michael, Taunton TA3 5EB Tel: 01823 476379

Your Local Funeral ProfessionalsHELPING YOU EV ERY STEP OF THE WAY

Part of Dignity plc. A British company

www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

• Local experts creating Traditional, Colourful and Natural funerals to meet all personal requirements

• Available 24 hours a day providing the highest levels of service with compassion and respect

• Our caring, respectful and professional services start from just £1,995. Please contact us for more information.

SOMER SETNIGEL K FORDNorth End, Creech, St. Michael, Taunton TA3 5EB Tel: 01823 476379

Your Local Funeral ProfessionalsHELPING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Part of Dignity plc. A British company

www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

• Local experts creating Traditional, Colourful and Natural funerals to meet all personal requirements

• Available 24 hours a day providing the highest levels of service with compassion and respect

• Our caring, respectful and professional services start from just £1,995. Please contact us for more information.

SOMERSETNIGEL K FORDNorth End, Creech, St. Michael, Taunton TA3 5EB Tel: 01823 476379

Your Local Funeral ProfessionalsHELPING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Part of Dignity plc. A British company

www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

• Local experts creating Traditional, Colourful and Natural funerals to meet all personal requirements

• Available 24 hours a day providing the highest levels of service with compassion and respect

• Our caring, respectful and professional services start from just £1,995. Please contact us for more information.

SOMERSETNIGEL K FORDNorth End, Creech, St. Michael, Taunton TA3 5EB Tel: 01823 476379

Your Local Funeral ProfessionalsHELPING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Part of Dignity plc. A British company

www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

• Local experts creating Traditional, Colourful and Natural funerals to meet all personal requirements

• Available 24 hours a day providing the highest levels of service with compassion and respect

• Our caring, respectful and professional services start from just £1,995. Please contact us for more information.

SOMERSETNIGEL K FORDNorth End, Creech, St. Michael, Taunton TA3 5EB Tel: 01823 476379

Your Local Funeral ProfessionalsHELPING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Part of Dignity plc. A British company

www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/local

• Local experts creating Traditional, Colourful and Natural funerals to meet all personal requirements

• Available 24 hours a day providing the highest levels of service with compassion and respect

• Our caring, respectful and professional services start from just £1,995. Please contact us for more information.

SOMERSETNIGEL K FORDNorth End, Creech, St. Michael, Taunton TA3 5EB Tel: 01823 476379

Are you

The editor and PCC thank all advertisers

for their support. To add your message,

please contact the editor.

Advertising rates can be found at the back. 12 issues or single issue.

Accountancy and bookkeeping support for sole traders and

small companies. Year End and Management Accounts, VAT, CIS, Payroll. Bookkeeping and training

Over 30 yrs experience

SCR Business Services Ltd North Curry

01823 490599

free initial consultation we come to you!

Compassionate care and support

A family-run company offering domiciliary and live-in support in and around many areas of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and East Sussex

www.candlelightcare.co.uk 01225 719850 f /candlelightcare info@candlelightcare.co.uk

01823 490280 07969 448793

Hilary.norman@btinternet.com

INTRODUCING……..

“The Home Grown Store”

Home grown Plants, and Cut Flowers

Look out for our occasional Pop-Up Shops

featuring local Crafts.

For details, contact Joslyn on 07889 7831973

Or joslynbenson@outlook.com

& Facebook

HILARY NORMAN Foothealth Practitioner RFHP

GENERAL FOOT CARE

Nail Cutting and filing, Corn & Callus removal, ingrowing toenails, fungal infections and general advice on the care of your feet.

Treatment in the comfort of your own home

01823 490280 07969 448793

Hilary.norman@btinternet.com

DaveBurt

Silver Street Antiques Market TA1 3DH9am -3pm Mondays Only

Gold & Silver items always wanted(any condition)

07889 443618dgburt47@gmail.com

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The views expressed in the magazine are those of the individuals/societies who send in items. The deadline for contributions is the 13th of the previous month. The editor reserves the right

to change any copy provided without recourse to the contributor. Copyright 2019. Gathering and use of information in carrying out its tasks, North Curry PCC is involved in

collecting personal data, addresses etc. We take privacy and confidentiality seriously, and fully comply with the principles of the United Kingdom GDPR/ Data Protection Act 2018.

PCC (Parochial Church Council) Address, for general correspondences St Peter and St Paul Church, Church Road, North Curry, Somerset. TA3 6LJ (Post box by kissing gate, at vicar‟s parking area)

The church website is www.northcurrychurch.co.uk

Church Officers and Contacts Officer: Name: Contact Number: Vicar Vacant Honorary Associate Priest Rev‟d John Tyler 01460 281574 Reader Ralph Roberts 01823 490933 Churchwarden David Akerman 01823 490234 Churchwarden & Verger Mary Piers 01823 491434 Churchwardens Emeritus Tony Brooker 01823 490422

Janet Dare 01823 490747 PCC Secretary/ Safe Guarding Helen Griffiths 01823 491298 PCC Treasurer Rob Ellis 01823 490599 Tower Captain Darren Woodyer 01823 690162 Flower List Organiser Lorraine Bryan Brown 01823 491665 Events Bookings Secretary David Walker 01823 491231 Produce Market Organiser Anne Williams 07531 382078 Little Angels/ Electoral Roll Jenny Satchwell 01823 490463 Choir Jean Smith 01823 490961 PCC 200 Club Sue Bethune 01823 490179 Magazine Editor Rob Ellis, email: ncurrymag@gmail.com

Other useful numbers for North Curry Coffee Shop 01823 491414 Little Acorns 01823 491615 www.littleacornsnorthcurry.co.uk Parish Council Offices 01823 490136 www.northcurry.com Post Office/ Stores 01823 490261 Primary School 01823 490423 www.northcurryschool.co.uk Surgery 01823 490505 www.northcurryhealthcentre.co.uk

Would you like to advertise your business in the magazine? ADVERTISING RATES 2019 – annual/ single issue rates Full Page: £96 - £10/issue Half Page - £50 - £5/issue Quarter Page - £30 - £3/issue Bespoke advert sizes can also be provided, contact the editor for a price and to discuss your requirements. Call or email the editor.

STOKE ST. GREGORY MEALS (01823 490077)

DELIVERING IN STOKE ST. GREGORY and NORTH CURRY

Twice a week we deliver homemade,

freshly-cooked two-course midday meals. Our customers range from those who are

elderly and appreciate the support of a hot meal delivered by friendly local people,

to those who have used the service whilst recovering after an operation.

Currently the cost is £3.50 per meal.

The meals are cooked in the cooks’ own

kitchens and delivered to houses in Stoke St Gregory and North Curry.

We are all volunteers and our cooks have food safety certificates

If you think Stoke St Gregory Meals could be

of help to you, a neighbour, friend or relative in

STOKE ST GREGORY or NORTH CURRY please phone:

Carole Joll 490077 or Vicki Fielding 490565 or Judy Blair 490222